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How to create a bootable Windows 8 installation DVD using the ESD folder

Step by Step series of instructions and screen shots on how to burn a bootable Windows 8 installation DVD. If you have a folder named C:\ESD on your disc drive you can use it to create a bootable Windows 8 installation or repair DVD.

This is especially useful if you forgot to choose the “Install by creating media option” when using the Upgrade Assistant to obtain Windows 8.

One word of caution: If you are running a 32Bit version of Windows (XP, Vista or Windows 7) the Upgrade process will download the 32Bit version of the Windows 8 installation files as there is no means of selecting the 64Bit when using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. The same is true if you running a 64Bit version as what you get is the 64Bit version of the installation files which are located in the ESD folder.

Note: If you do not have an ESD folder you can re-download the upgrade using the Windows 8 product key you received in your Email confirmation.

Once the actual upgrade process starts you will be given the chance to select how you want the installation to proceed.

1) Install now

2) Install by creating media

3) Install later from your desktop

Selecting either the "Install by creating media" or “Install later” option will create the necessary C:\ESD folder. At this point in time I’m not certain that the “Install now” option will create an ESD folder but it should.

I will show you step by step how to use the contents of the ESD folder to create a bootable Windows 8 installation DVD.

The screenshots below were taken from a computer running Windows 7 Professional 64Bit. Note that before starting I created an Image Backup of the entire disk drive and also disconnected the second drive in the computer. I then used option #3 “Install later from your desktop” as a means of creating the ESD folder and associated files and sub-folders.